Worktops cost from £20 per metre for basic laminate up to £1,000+ per metre for premium marble. For a typical kitchen with 5 – 6 linear metres of worktop, that means roughly £200 – £600 for laminate, £600 – £1,500 for solid wood and £2,000 – £4,500 for quartz or granite, fitted.
This guide compares every popular material on price, durability and maintenance, and lists the extras (cut-outs, upstands, drainer grooves) that quietly inflate stone quotes.
Worktop cost per linear metre by material
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate (per linear metre, supply only) | £20 – £40 | £40 – £80 | £80 – £120 |
| Solid wood (oak, beech, walnut) | £80 – £120 | £120 – £200 | £200 – £300 |
| Composite / acrylic (Corian, Minerva) | £200 – £300 | £300 – £400 | £400 – £550 |
| Quartz (supplied & fitted) | £250 – £350 | £350 – £500 | £500 – £750 |
| Granite (supplied & fitted) | £250 – £350 | £350 – £500 | £500 – £800 |
| Marble (supplied & fitted) | £350 – £500 | £500 – £750 | £750 – £1,200 |
Indicative UK prices, 2027/28, including VAT where applicable.
Laminate and solid wood
Laminate is the budget champion and modern finishes convincingly mimic stone and wood. Your kitchen fitter cuts and fits it on site. Solid wood is warm and repairable but needs oiling two or three times a year and care around the sink.
Quartz, granite and marble
Stone worktops are templated after units are fitted, then cut off site and installed 7 – 14 days later. Quartz is engineered, non-porous and consistent; granite is natural and heat-resistant but needs sealing; marble is beautiful but stains and scratches easily. Fitted prices usually include templating and basic edging, but not the extras below.
- Sink cut-out: £80 – £150; undermount sink cut-out: £150 – £300
- Hob cut-out: £60 – £120
- Drainer grooves: £100 – £200
- Upstands (per metre): £40 – £80
- Splashback in matching stone: £200 – £500 per metre
- Waterfall end to an island: £400 – £1,000
Composite and other options
Acrylic composites such as Corian and Minerva can be joined seamlessly and moulded into integrated sinks. Ceramic and sintered stone (Dekton, Neolith) sit at the premium end at £500 – £900 per metre. Stainless steel and concrete are niche but achievable at £300 – £700 per metre.
Frequently asked questions
How much worktop does a kitchen need?
Measure the length of your base units and add any overhang or island. A typical 12-unit kitchen needs 5 – 6 linear metres; a kitchen with an island needs 8 – 10 metres.
Is quartz cheaper than granite?
Entry-level quartz and granite cost about the same at £250 – £350 per metre fitted. Quartz has a wider mid-price range while exotic granites and marble climb higher.
Can I fit a worktop myself?
Laminate and solid wood, yes with care and a good jig for joints. Stone worktops should always be templated and fitted by the supplier because of the weight and the risk of cracking.
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